2003 CL 6 speed in a 2004 Odyssey
 

Hi guys, long time lurker but this is my first post. I have searched and searched but still have a couple of questions regarding the swap. We have an '04 Odyssey on it's second trans. Recently, it's developed issues that lead me to believe the trans is getting ready to fail again. I picked up a slightly wrecked '03 CL-S this weekend. I want to put the six speed into the van. I've got the service manuals for both vehicles and the electrical troubleshooting manuals for both as well. It looks like it isn't a whole lot different than swapping A/T to M/T on the CL.

I'm fully capable of handing the labor all on my own. I've been working on cars for years and have several engine swaps under my belt and one automatic trans rebuild completed too. I have a background in Electrical Engineering. I've been going over the PCM connectors for days. I've decided that I will probably attempt to use the Odyssey's PCM at first. It looks like I can fool the computer into thinking the van is in park by grounding one of the pins at the range selector. At that point, I'm hoping that I can get the engine to fire but I suspect that it will be looking for feedback from the trans.

I don't plan on tearing into either vehicle until it warms up a bit here. It's like 11 below right now. I'm using my time to try to figure as much out now rather than trying to do it on the fly.

Other than the transmission, I notice that the ABS/TCS system and the Cruise Control system are going to need to be looked at. The van is very similar to the automatic CL. What steps are needed to get these systems functional when doing the swap in a CL or TL?

If you haven't seen the "One Lap of America" Odyssey built by Honda people in their own time at the Alabama plant look it up. J35 with a 6 speed and turbo. 500+HP. I wonder if there is "build" information online somewhere.

I have seen it. It's pretty cool. I doubt I'll do a turbo. I'm really just looking to build the most reliable minivan ever.

I noticed you were in the Ody forum after I wrote that reply. I used to autocross in Birmingham AL when the Honda guys brought the original One Lap Ody to our parking lot to play. It was stupid fast with only 300HP.

so cool.

You won't be able to trick the Oddy ECU completely. There's a module that will do it completely, but they're not for sale anymore.

If you're just looking for reliability, just get an AV6 transmission. They require little modification (just a couple things), and they will bolt right up.

I bet Kings Performance | I AM THE KING. & Dezod Motorsports Inc - Home of the automotive performance enthusiast since 2002. - Homepage could do this...

Do you know what the module actually did that tricked the computer? I'm thinking that a couple of correctly wired five pin relays would be a start. The first relay's normally open pin would be tied to the P sensor. Clutch pressed in flips the relay and tricks the ECU into allowing the engine to start. Release the clutch and the relay closes which then runs to another relay that represents the D position when closed. Putting the shifter in reverse flips the second relay and represent the R position.

With all that said, I might go ahead and use the J32 and ECU outta the CL. Or maybe the J32 with the J35 crank and rods.

If you have a junked CL6 there, then use all it's wiring and ECU. Or if you want a 3.5, grab a J35A3 and swap over the 6speed parts necessary (they're listed in another thread). Put in your CLS cams and you have a 3.5type S.

What's the difference between your scenario and using the CL j32 with the Odyssey crank and rods?

Nevermind, I stand corrected.

I'm back. Four days after I started this thread, we had some crazy shit go down that necessitated a move. We moved in June. I now have two garages to work in. I picked up a cream puff 2000 Odyssey last night with a broken timing belt for $350. Game on.

:woot: in for results. What engine are you going with?

Right now the plan is to use the 3.2 from the CL.

Sounds like a fun project. I used to drive a rwd Mazda MPV minivan in high school. That thing was a blast and I miss it.

:popcorn:


this can get interesting. !!!

in for results!!

I just did a auto to 6 speed conversion(with j35 @ the same time). Had to change all the harnesses in the car to work for everything to work correctly.

Mechanically wise, I'm sure bolting everything up will be fairly easy. Getting it running shouldn't be too hard either. Getting all the windows/door locks/lights to work is gonna be the tough part.

I'm an engineer with a background in electronics. I'm not worried about the lights or locks. They'll be easy. My biggest concern is the SRS system. The front bags were both deployed in the CL. It also has side impact bags that the Odyssey doesn't have. I have both vehicles factory service manuals and the electronics troubleshooting manuals for both as well. I'm trying to determine if they are both stand alone systems that just need power.

I've always liked the old Ody, man, what you're doing is cool!!!

Look how clean this thing is!

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...5382f76b27.jpg

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...6986fc0edd.jpg

that is really clean! not just because of its age, but vans usually get used by the owners and aren't garage queens. nice snag.

Will you do any lowering, lip kit?

Probably not. I think I'm going to leave it as is for now.

Then leaving this here shouldn't matter.......

http://www.hondashowoff.com/profile_...1131568624.jpghttps://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...5f90221599.jpg

That's super cool but not really practical for the family or the budget.

Cool build man. Odyssey 6 speed is really something. Beautiful car....errrr....van.

You guys are all pretty cool here. I was kinda expecting to get flamed for such an odd build.

nah... the threads we :flame: on are the wannabe ricer civic boys that want full body kits, underglow, and wonder how much hpees an intake and cutting up your exhaust will yield.


This is a fantastic idea.

If you have a young family, I can understand, because you don't want the kids to trash the van.

Other than the potential air ride that it has and maybe even the puddle lights, it's not impractical.

Budget limitations, I can understand, but you could always see if you could find a used kit for it.

Keeping it stock looking isn't a bad way to go, but usually exterior mods tend to go hand in hand with performance mods....so....we'll see how long it takes for you to start talking about lowering it and a lip kit, because the performance upgrade has given you that 'itch'!!

So, it looks like the SRS system is stand alone. It also looks like I can get away with using the Ody harness by adding five wires. But I'm sure I'll have to modify more than that. I'm hoping to get started Saturday morning. I'll try to post pics. You all know how that goes once your hands get dirty. Maybe I can get my ten year old son to snap some pics as I work.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...c17c40af5.jpeg

So maybe I've been drinking and maybe I'm excited to get started on this. I'll consider this my first official post involving pieces that have been stripped and something that will need attention for the swap. Don't be surprised if there are many more Miller High Life fueled posts between now and finish.

Make a a note of this.

The wire on the left is the factory sending unit for the temp gage in the Odyssey. This sending unit drives the Odyssey's temp gage. The Acura's sending unit is in the ECU and is based on feedback from the wires on the right. The wire on the left will need to be cut and ran to pin E14 on the Acura ECU labeled ECTOUT. Again, the computer drives the temp gage on the Acura. Don't forget it.

Totally subscribing now if this is the amount of detail you'll be going into!!!!! :rolling: :soopa: :popcorn:

Ha. It comes and goes. I might forget to connect the starter.

This is awesome!

Well, I'm beginning to think I'm not going to get any real progress to report this weekend. The weather is great, friends are stopping by and fun is being had. If anything I hope to at least get a picture of the two vehicles sitting next to each other before tomorrow is over.

Got the Acura in the garage next to the Odyssey on Monday. Got most of the front end stripped off of the van yesterday and started gutting the engine bay.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...36088fb9a2.jpg

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...a88c6ab3a0.jpg

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/acurazi...59d8684396.jpg

Subscribed! Awesome thread!

I see the CL has an intake....does it have headers too? that would be amazing.

Nice to see some progress happening.

This is why my next house needs the single door/double car garage setup!

Don't think you can use the strut bar from the CL, which would be too bad. Wonder what an Oddy would handle like with a bit of reinforcement up front. lol

Not yet. :toocool: